Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPTR) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s antibacterial drug DIFICID™ (fidaxomicin) tablets for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults 18 years of age and older. CDAD is a significant medical problem in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and is beginning to emerge in the community among people previously at low risk for the disease. In the largest Phase 3 clinical studies ever conducted in CDAD, DIFICID had clinical response rates at the end of treatment that were non-inferior to oral vancomycin. DIFICID was superior to vancomycin in sustaining clinical response through 25 days beyond the end of treatment. DIFICID is the only FDA-approved antibacterial drug proven to be superior to vancomycin in sustained clinical response for CDAD.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/optimerpharma/50177/
To mark World MS Day, today the National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced the culmination of the We Keep Moving journey, a 10-week reality road trip across America to chronicle the extraordinary lives of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) told by a documentary crew who have MS themselves. The Society initiated this campaign to capture unique personal stories of perseverance and triumph with the goal of uniting millions of people affected by MS and inspiring the general public with stories about people who might not ordinarily appear on their daily radar screens.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/wekeepmoving/43743/
As any do-it-yourselfer knows, a good home improvement project has both style and substance, adding functionality with aesthetic appeal. For people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who may face difficulties around the house, adaptable options around the home are particularly important. To celebrate National Arthritis Awareness Month, Abbott is highlighting an interactive “RA Home Makeover” tool on ra.com (Living with RA section) that gives people home makeover tips to help make living with RA easier.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/ra/43757/
The people of The United Methodist Church will join with partner organizations to distribute 30,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where malaria is a leading cause of death.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/umcom/43496/
One thousand women die daily due to pregnancy related causes and the majority of Americans (75%) believe that reducing these deaths should be a priority of President Obama and his Administration, according to a study just released by Americans for UNFPA, conducted by Harris Interactive². Further, over eight in ten agree that lack of adequate healthcare is one of the most serious global issues facing women (82%).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/harrisinteractive/44730/
Citing projections that by 2030, America’s senior population will reach 20 percent of the population – 78 million people – and new survey information showing that Americans feel increasingly helpless about their personal cancer risk as they grow older, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) today highlighted the emerging research showing that even in later life, many cancers can be delayed or prevented through regular physical activity and a plant-based diet.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/aicr/46620/
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, called on government leaders to increase their investments in vaccines and to hold themselves accountable for extending the benefits of vaccines to every child.
In a keynote address at the 64th World Health Assembly, an annual gathering of health ministers and global health leaders, Gates laid out his vision for the impact that broadening access to vaccines can have on the world. “Strong immunization systems will put an end to polio and help us reach all children with five to six new vaccines,” Gates said. “We can save four million lives by 2015, and 10 million lives by 2020.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/gatesfoundation/49363/
Former University of Texas great Colt McCoy is teaming up with Scott & White Healthcare as part of a philanthropic initiative to raise $50 million for a planned regional children’s hospital. The collaboration was announced today at a reception for hospital officials and donors at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/sw/45124/
On November 17, millions of Americans will mark the American Cancer Society’s 36th annual Great American Smokeout by giving up smoking for the day, and maybe for good. Because smoking can trigger asthma symptoms in children, quitting is an important first step toward protecting kids’ health. BeSmartBeWell.com tells parents the steps they can take on the Great American Smokeout, and every day of the year, to lower the risk for childhood asthma.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childhoodasthma/50826/
The Starkey Hearing Foundation and its Israeli partners concluded today its Israel-Palestine Hearing Mission of Peace in the West Bank region, fitting more than 1,000 Palestinian children and adults with hearing devices. The Starkey Hearing Foundation hopes the three-day effort will promote greater communication and understanding among the local communities through improved hearing.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/starkeyhearingfoundation/50402/
Health insurance reform passed Congress, but health insurance doesn't equal health care. One in five children in the U.S. live in poverty and millions of children don't have access to regular check-ups and timely health care visits when sick. Through a new social media-driven campaign, the Children’s Health Fund (CHF) and Clorox are working to change this and connect kids to ongoing health care with the click of a mouse.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/clorox/43532/
The Advertising Council, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced today the launch of a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to inform parents of children living with asthma that serious asthma attacks can be prevented and to motivate them to learn how to take preventative action.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/44159/
